It is interesting to be present for the match process.
There is an undercurrent of excitement and anxiousness that cannot be denied.
This is where and when the embarkation of their mission service begins.
This process of choosing trainers is the first priority as
transfers begins because they are important in maintaining a positive
mission culture as they influence our new missionaries.
They are wonderful missionaries!

"Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him
with all your heart, might, mind and strength,
that ye may stand blameless before God in the last day."
D&C 4:2

We are forever grateful for the safe arrival of all 20 new missionaries!

Due to travel disruptions caused by weather and mechanical issues

our missionaries were reshuffled onto several different planes.

(Big "thank you" to those who arranged their travel!)

Our "arrival day" was split into 5 different trips to the airport,

not counting the arrival of our two Italian Sorelle from the Spain MTC

which we picked up the day prior.

In a departure from our usual format, I would like to take you through our day

in basic order of events...

Enjoy!

First - Our Sorelle from Bari, Italy.

Tuesday arrival...

Sorella Cafagno, President and Sorella Allen, Sorella Santoro

Great Sorelle! (...AND they speak Italian perfectly!)

New arrivals begin on Wednesday.

First to arrive...

Sorella Epps.

Next group...

Anziano Bona

Anziano Gomez

Anziano Haws

Anziano Dunn

Anziano Eusebi

First three group together.

Next arrival.... "group" number four.

Anziano Wilks.

Our first 9 enjoy a great day sharing the Gospel at Duomo.

Arrival number five.

Sorella Pacheco

Our final, and sixth, group.

Sorella McConkie

Sorella Johnson

Anziano Welch

Sorella Larson

Sorella Nelson

Sorella Mitchell

Anziano Kjar

Anziano Ross and Lombardi

Anziano Thomas

We had a long day of "gathering"
but we are so very grateful they are officially here.
Tomorrow we train and match them with their first companion.

We are ready to "harvest"

Hymn #94
Come, ye thankful people, come;
Raise the song of harvest home.
All are safely gathered in
Ere the winter storms begin.
God, our Maker, doth provide
For our wants to be supplied.
Come to God's own "vineyard", come;
Raise the song of harvest home.